Act 1, Scene 1

[The acting troupe commences their play. The setting is a public square in the city of Padua, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy. The sound of trumpets. Enter Lucentio, a young aristocrat, and his servant, Tranio. They have just arrived in Padua from Pisa.]

Lucentio

Tranio, since for the great desire I had

Historical Context

“Padua, nursery of arts … Lombardy, the pleasant garden of great Italy”

Historical Context

“Padua, nursery of arts … Lombardy, the pleasant garden of great Italy”

Padua was famous as a center of learning, and the Lombardy region was known for its agricultural productivity.

To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,

I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,

The pleasant garden of great Italy.

Performance

Lucentio, Lines 1-24

And by my father's love and leave, am armed

With his good will and thy good company,

[A flourish. Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio]

Lucentio

Tranio, since I really wanted to see beautiful Padua, famous for being a city of learning, now I’m here at fruitful Lombardy: the pleasant garden of great Italy. And since I have my father’s love and permission, I’ve got both his good will and your good company. You’re my trusty servant, reliable in every way. Now that we’re here, let’s stay and maybe start a course of learning and intellectual studies. I was born in Pisa, renowned for its dignified citizens. And so was my father before me: Vincentino, a merchant who trades all around the world. We’re descended from the Bentivolii.

My trusty servant well approved in all.

Here let us breathe and haply institute

A course of learning and ingenious studies.

Pisa, renowned for grave citizens,

Gave me my being, and my father first —

A merchant of great traffic through the world,

Vincentio, come of Bentivolii.

Vincentio's son, brought up in Florence,

It shall become to serve all hopes conceived

To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds.

And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,

Virtue and that part of philosophy

Will I apply, that treats of happiness

(Lucentio)

It only makes sense for me, Vincentio’s son raised in Florence, to fulfill my father’s expectations. I have to decorate my good fortune with virtuous deeds. Therefore, Tranio, while I’m here, I’ll apply myself to studying virtue and the philosophy of the happiness that virtue brings. Tell me what you think: for I’ve left Pisa and come to Padua, like someone who jumps out of a shallow puddle and into a lake, hoping to quench his thirst with excess.

By virtue specially to be achieved.

Tell me thy mind, for I have Pisa left,

And am to Padua come, as he that leaves

A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep,

And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.

Tranio

Performance

Tranio, Lines 25-40

Me pardonato, gentle master mine,

I am in all affected as yourself,

Glad that you thus continue your resolve

To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.

Only, good master, while we do admire

This virtue and this moral discipline,

Let's be no stoics, nor no stocks, I pray,

Philosophical Context

Stoics, Aristotle, and Ovid

Philosophical Context

Stoics, Aristotle, and Ovid

Tranio thinks Lucentio is going a bit overboard in advocating a philosophy of strict virtue and moral discipline. Tranio thinks they shouldn’t become followers of Stoicism, which taught that one should minimize the desire of pleasure, or of Aristotle who valued contemplation more than the sensual pleasures. People like that would even have denounced the Roman writer Ovid, author of The Art of Love.

Tranio

Pardon me, my gentle master, I feel the same way as you. I’m glad that you continue in your decision to taste the sweet taste of philosophy. But although, good master, I admire the virtue and morality you mentioned, let’s not be stoic or emotionless, please, nor so devoted to Aristotle’s self-restraint that we reject Ovid’s love poetry altogether. Pursue your logic among friends, and practice your fancy speech in casual conversation. But use music and poetry to excite you! Turn to math and philosophy as much as you can stomach them, but there’s no point if you don’t enjoy it. In short, sir, study what you like the most.

Tranio

Master, some show to welcome us to town.

[Lucentio and Tranio stand aside, but close enough to overhear the other group’s conversation.]

Baptista

Performance

Baptista, Lines 48-54

Lucentio

Thanks, Tranio. You give good advice. If only Biondello would arrive, we could prepare ourselves right away. We have to find a place to stay where we can entertain the friends we’ll make in Padua. But wait a minute...who are these people?

Tranio

Master, it’s a spectacle to welcome us to town.

[Enter Baptista with his two daughters Katherina and Bianca; Gremio, an elderly suitor of Bianca; and Hortensio, suitor of Bianca. Lucentio and Tranio stand by]

Baptista

Gentlemen, stop pestering me! You know I’m firmly resolved not to give my younger daughter in marriage before I’ve found a husband for the older one. If either of you love Katherina, since I know and love you both, I’ll let you court her as much as you want.

Gentlemen, importune me no farther,

For how I firmly am resolved you know —

That is not to bestow my youngest daughter

Before I have a husband for the elder.

If either of you both love Katherina —

Because I know you well and love you well —

Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

Gremio (elderly suitor of Bianca)

[Aside] To “cart” her rather; she's too rough for me.

Historical Context

“To ‘cart’ her rather”

Historical Context

“To ‘cart’ her rather”

Women criminals — mostly prostitutes — were sometimes punished by being driven through the streets in a cart while being whipped.

[Aloud] There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?

Katherina

Performance

Katherina, Lines 57-58

[To Baptista] I pray you, sir, is it your will

Wordplay

“to make a stale of me amongst these mates”

Wordplay

“to make a stale of me amongst these mates”

Katherina is being made a stale (a laughingstock) in front of these two mates (contemptible men).

Katherina is being made a stale (decoy) for Bianca so that Bianca can get a mate (husband).

Katherina is being made a stale, or a prostitute, as her father is offering her up to both Gremio and Hortensio

Katherina has placed Gremio and Hortensio in a “stalemate,” a deadlock where neither can prevail over his rival in the pursuit of Bianca.

To make a stale of me amongst these mates?

Hortensio (other suitor of Bianca)

‘Mates,’ maid, how mean you that? No mates for you,

Unless you were of gentler, milder mold.

Katherina

Performance

Katherina, Lines 61-65

I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear;

Iwis, it is not halfway to her heart.

But if it were, doubt not her care should be

Gremio

[Aside] I’d rather cart her than court her. She’s too harsh for me. [Aloud to Hortensio] What about you, Hortensio? Do you want a wife?

Katherina

Let me ask you, sir, are you trying to make a fool out of me with all these suitors?

Hortensio

Husband? What do you mean? No one would be your husband, unless you behaved more gently and mildly.

Katherina

I swear, sir, you have no need to fear. Marriage isn’t even close to what I want. But if it were, have no doubt that I’d hit your head with a three-legged stool, making your face bloody, and treat you like a fool.

Gremio

Tranio

Lucentio

[Aside to Tranio] But her sister is silent, behaving like a modest and sensible maiden. Now hush, Tranio!

Tranio

[Aside to Lucentio] Good point, master. Let’s be quiet and watch.

To comb your noddle with a three-legged stool,

And paint your face and use you like a fool.

Hortensio

From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!

Gremio

And me too, good Lord!

Tranio

Performance

Tranio and Lucentio, Lines 68-73

[Quietly to Lucentio] Hush, master! Here's some good pastime toward.

That wench is stark mad, or wonderful froward.

Lucentio

[Quietly to Tranio] But in the other's silence do I see

Maid's mild behavior and sobriety.

Peace, Tranio!

Tranio

Well said, master. Mum, and gaze your fill.

Baptista

Performance

Katherina, Baptista, and Bianca, Lines 74-83

Gentlemen, that I may soon make good

What I have said — Bianca, get you in,

And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,

For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

Katherina

A pretty peat! It is best

Proverb

“put a finger in the eye”

Proverb

“put a finger in the eye”

To "put a finger in the eye" was proverbial phrase meaning to play the victim. Katherina is sarcastically suggesting that Bianca could gain more sympathy by putting a finger in her eye to create some fake tears.

Put finger in the eye, and she knew why.

Bianca

Baptista

Gentlemen, I’d like to make good on what I’ve said — Bianca, go inside. And don’t be upset, Bianca, I’ll love you no matter what.

Katherina

Spoiled brat! I bet she’d make herself cry, if she thought of a reason.

Bianca

Sister, just be glad I’m unhappy — Father, I’ll humbly do what you say. My books and music will keep me company. I’ll read and practice my instruments.

Lucentio

[aside to Tranio] Listen, Tranio! She sounds like Minerva herself!

Hortensio

Signor Baptista, why are you so against us? I’m sorry our good intentions upset Bianca.

Sister, content you in my discontent.

Sir, to your pleasure, humbly I subscribe.

My books and instruments shall be my company,

On them to look and practice by myself.

Lucentio

[Quietly to Tranio] Hark, Tranio! Thou mayst hear Minerva speak.

Mythological Allusion

“Minerva”

Mythological Allusion

“Minerva”

Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and inventor of the flute, so Lucentio is paying Bianca a very big compliment.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio and Gremio, Lines 85-89

Signor Baptista, will you be so strange?

Sorry am I that our good will effects

Bianca's grief.

Gremio

Why, will you mew her up,

Signor Baptista, for this fiend of hell;

And make her bear the penance of her tongue?

Baptista

Performance

Katherina, Baptista, and Bianca, Lines 90-104

Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolved.

Go in, Bianca.

[Exit Bianca]

And for I know she taketh most delight

In music, instruments, and poetry,

Gremio

Why lock her up just because of her crazy sister, Signor Baptista? Why punish her for something she didn’t do?

Baptista

Give up, gentlemen, I’ve made my choice. Go inside, Bianca.

[Exit Bianca]

And since I know Bianca loves music and poetry, I’ll keep teachers around the house who can instruct her. If either of you, Hortensio and Gremio, know any teachers like that, introduce them to me. I’ll pay them very well if they’re intelligent. I’m generous when it comes to my children’s education. Goodbye — Katherina, you can stay here. I have something to discuss with Bianca.

[Exit Baptista]

Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,

Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio

Or Signor Gremio, you know any such,

Prefer them hither; for to cunning men

I will be very kind, and liberal

To mine own children in good bringing-up.

And so farewell. — Katherina, you may stay,

For I have more to commune with Bianca.

[Exit Baptista]

Katherina

Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What,

shall I be appointed hours, as though belike I knew not

what to take and what to leave? Ha!

[Exit Katherina]

Gremio

[As if he’s addressing Katherina who has just left]

Performance

Hortensio and Gremio, Lines 105-142

You may go to the devil's dam. Your gifts are so

Irony

“go to the devil's dam”

Irony

“go to the devil's dam”

The “devil’s dam,” the devil’s mother, was considered to be even more evil than the devil himself. When he refers to Katherina’s gifts, Gremio is being ironic; what he really means is, “your faults are so large no one would have you.”

good, here's none will hold you. [To Hortensio]Their love is not so

great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together,

Metaphor

“fast it fairly out. Our cake’s dough on both sides”

Metaphor

“fast it fairly out. Our cake’s dough on both sides”

To fast means to go without food. Gremio’s saying that women’s love is not so important that he and Hortensio can’t just go without it until the problem of Katherina gets resolved. He follows up the “fasting” metaphor with a food proverb. “My cake is dough” means your project has failed (your cake didn’t bake). Their cake is dough “on both sides” — that is, neither one of them has succeeded in being able in woo Bianca.

and fast it fairly out. Our cake's dough on both sides.

Farewell. Yet for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can

by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein

Katherina

I can stay? Then I guess I can go too, right? Am I going to be told where to be every hour, as if I can’t take care of myself?

[Exit Katherina]

Gremio

[To Katherina, as if she’s still there] You can go, all right — to hell! The way you are, nobody can restrain you. [To Hortensio] Women’s love isn’t so important that we can’t wait a while, Hortensio. We’ll get through this. For now, we’ve both lost. Goodbye. But out of love for sweet Bianca, if I can find a teacher who’ll make her happy, I’ll send him to her father.

Hortensio

So will I, Gremio. But wait, listen to me. We’ve never teamed up before, because of our rivalry, but now we have a common goal. If we want to court Bianca again and be rivals like we were before, we need to accomplish one thing.

Gremio

And what’s that?

Hortensio

We need to find a husband for her sister.

Gremio

A husband? You mean a devil.

Hortensio

I mean a husband.

she delights, I will wish him to her father.

Hortensio

So will I, Signior Gremio; but a word, I pray.

Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked

parley, know now upon advice it toucheth us both —

that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress

and be happy rivals in Bianca's love — to labor and

effect one thing specially.

Gremio

What's that, I pray?

Hortensio

Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.

Gremio

A husband? A devil.

Hortensio

I say a husband.

Gremio

I say a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her

father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married

to hell?

Hortensio

Tush, Gremio; though it pass your patience and

mine to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be

good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them,

would take her with all faults — and money enough.

Gremio

I cannot tell, but I had as lief take her dowry with

this condition — to be whipped at the high-cross every

morning.

Hortensio

Gremio

Well I say a devil. Do you think anyone’s stupid enough to marry that demon — even with all her father’s money?

Hortensio

Oh, come on, Gremio! Even though you and I find her loud squabbling annoying, don’t you think we could find a man good enough to accept all her faults? Especially if her father offers a large dowry.

Gremio

I don’t know about that. I’d rather be whipped in the marketplace every morning than marry her — even with a large dowry.

Hortensio

You’re right, those are both terrible options. But come on! Our situation has put us on the same team. It’s good for everyone if we find Baptista’s older daughter a husband. Then Bianca will be free to be married, and we can be rivals all over again. Sweet Bianca! May the best man win. I’ll race you to her. What do you say, Gremio?

Gremio

Okay, I’m in. Whatever man can woo Katherina, marry her, sleep with her and get rid of her — I wish he had the fastest horse in Padua! Let’s go.

[Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio]

Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten

Proverb

“there's small choice in rotten apples”

Proverb

“there's small choice in rotten apples”

To say that there’s little choice between rotten apples was proverbial. Hortensio is saying that there’s little difference between two equally bad options — in this case, marrying Katherina or being whipped in the marketplace.

apples. But come, since this bar in law makes us friends,

Wordplay

“since this bar in law makes us friends”

Wordplay

“since this bar in law makes us friends”

Baptista’s legal control of his daughters is “barring” them from making Baptista their father-in-law.

it shall be so far forth friendly maintained till by helping

Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest

free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet

Bianca! Happy man be his dole. He that runs fastest gets

Proverb

“He that runs fastest gets the ring”

Proverb

“He that runs fastest gets the ring”

Here, this proverb has a metaphorical meaning. In one of the events at a jousting tournament, the riders would race through a course, spearing rings with their lances. In their battle for Bianca, the fastest of the two suitors will get to marry her. Gremio continues the horse metaphor in the following passage.

the ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?

Gremio

I am agreed, and would I had given him the best

horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that would

thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her, and rid

the house of her! Come on.

[Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio, Tranio and Lucentio come forward.]

Tranio (Lucentio’s servant)

Performance

Tranio and Lucentio, Lines 143-161

I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible

That love should, of a sudden, take such hold?

Lucentio

O Tranio, till I found it to be true,

I never thought it possible or likely.

But see, while idly I stood looking on,

Wordplay

“while ‘idly’ I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in’ idleness’”

Wordplay

“while ‘idly’ I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in’ idleness’”

Lucentio fell in love with Bianca while he was idly looking on. But idleness is another name for a pansy, the garden flower. According to folklore, placing idleness on the eyelids of someone who’s asleep caused him or her to fall in love with the first person they see upon awakening.

I found the effect of love in idleness.

And now in plainness do confess to thee —

That art to me as secret and as dear

Mythological Allusion

“as dear as Anna to the Queen of Carthage was”

Mythological Allusion

“as dear as Anna to the Queen of Carthage was”

According to ancient Greek mythology, after the Greeks defeated the Trojans in the Trojan war, the Trojan nobleman Aeneas made his way to Carthage in north Africa. There, Queen Dido fell in love him. The first person to whom the queen revealed her love was her sister, Anna. Sadly, in the end, Aeneas abandoned Queen Dido, and she threw herself on a burning funeral pyre. Let’s hope Lucentio’s relationship with Bianca has a more pleasant ending.

As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was —

Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,

Tranio

Sir, tell me: is it possible to fall in love so quickly?

Lucentio

Oh Tranio, I didn’t think it was possible either until it happened to me. But while I just stood here watching, love took hold of me. And now I must confess — I’ll confide in you like Dido did to her sister Anna — Oh Tranio, I’m burning, missing her… I’ll die if I can’t be with this girl, Tranio! What should I do, Tranio? I know you give good advice. Help me, Tranio, I know you will.

Tranio

Master, this is no time to lecture you. Love can’t just be scolded out of the heart. If this is really love, I have nothing to say but this from the Latin: Ransom yourself as cheaply as you can.

Lucentio

Thanks, that helps. Go on, it’s comforting to hear what you have to say.

Tranio

Master, you stared at that girl for so long that you might not have noticed the essence of the situation.

If I achieve not this young modest girl.

Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.

Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

Tranio

Master, it is no time to chide you now;

Affection is not rated from the heart.

If love have touched you, naught remains but so.

'Redime te captam quam queas minimo.'

Cultural Allusion

“Redime te captam quam queas minimo.”

Cultural Allusion

“Redime te captam quam queas minimo.”

This is a phrase from a Latin textbook that many in Shakespeare’s audience would have recognized from their school days. It translates as “Regain your freedom at the lowest price.” In other words, Tranio thinks his master should get out of this situation — being hopelessly love with Bianca — in the easiest way possible. Tranio is very well educated for a servant, but apparently he’s not the world's biggest romantic.

Lucentio

Gramercies, lad. Go forward, this contents.

The rest will comfort for thy counsel's sound.

Tranio

Performance

Tranio and Lucentio, Lines 162-194

Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,

Perhaps you marked not what's the pith of all.

Lucentio

O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,

Mythological Allusion

“daughter of Agenor … Jove”

Mythological Allusion

“daughter of Agenor … Jove”

According to ancient mythology, Jove, king of the gods, fell in love with the daughter of King Agenor. He kidnapped her by turning himself into a tame white bull and mixing with her father’s herd. When she climbed on his back, he plunged into the sea and carried her off to the island of Crete. Lucentio’s version is a bit more romantic. Upon reaching Crete, Jove “kisses” the sand with his knees (kneels), and then kisses her hand.

Such as the daughter of Agenor had,

That made great Jove to humble him to her hand

When, with his knees, he kissed the Cretan strand.

Tranio

Saw you no more? Marked you not how her sister

Began to scold and raise up such a storm

That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?

Lucentio

Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move,

Cultural Context

“her coral lips”

Cultural Context

“her coral lips”

Although it has almost completely disappeared in modern times, in Shakespeare’s day, a beautiful red coral grew in the Mediterranean Sea, which was prized almost as much as a precious stone.

And with her breath she did perfume the air.

Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

Tranio

[Aside] Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.

Lucentio

Oh yes, I saw the sweet beauty of her face! As beautiful as Agenor’s daughter Europa, when the great god Jupiter pursued her, kneeling on the sand of Crete.

Tranio

Sure, but didn’t you see anything else? Didn’t you notice her sister yelling and shouting, louder than human ears can stand?

Lucentio

Tranio, I saw Bianca’s pink lips move, and her breath like perfume. I saw her sacredness and her sweetness.

Tranio

[Aside] Well then, I guess I’ll have to snap him out of this trance. —Wake up, sir! If you love her, you’re going to have to be clever about pursuing her. Here’s the deal: her older sister is such a foul, grumpy woman that, until her father marries her off, he won’t let Bianca get married. She’s living at home as a maiden. He’s locked her up to keep the men away.

I pray, awake, sir. If you love the maid,

Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:

Her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd

Word Nerd

Shrew

Word Nerd

Shrew

Originally, “shrew” referred to the small burrowing animal with very sharp teeth. The animal’s name derived from the German “skreu-”, to cut. Because shrews are ferocious and their bite is poisonous, it was believed that they were possessed by an evil spirit. So when the word was first applied to people, it referred to an evil person, a devil. By Shakespeare’s time though, the meaning had mellowed and narrowed. It referred specifically to a scolding, ill-tempered woman. A woman behaving in this manner was described as shrewd. Today, the noun, shrew, is rarely heard, but when it is, it has the same meaning as in Shakespeare’s day. However the adjective, shrewd, has taken on a very different sense. In the very early times when “shrew” still referred to a devilish person, to be shrewd meant to be very cunning at performing evil deeds. Ironically, today it’s generally used in a positive sense, to describe someone who’s very savvy or clever.

That till the father rid his hands of her,

Master, your love must live a maid at home;

And therefore has he closely mewed her up,

Because she will not be annoyed with suitors.

Lucentio

Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!

But art thou not advised he took some care

To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

Tranio

Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.

Lucentio

I have it, Tranio.

Tranio

Master, for my hand,

Both our inventionsmeet and jump in one.

Lucentio

Tell me thine first.

Tranio

You will be schoolmaster

And undertake the teaching of the maid.

That's your device.

Lucentio

It is. May it be done?

Tranio

Lucentio

Oh Tranio, he’s such a cruel father. But didn’t you hear, he’s trying to find clever tutors to teach her?

Tranio

Indeed, I heard, sir. And I have a plan.

Lucentio

I have one too, Tranio.

Tranio

Master, I bet we had the same idea.

Lucentio

You go first.

Tranio

You’ll be the tutor who teaches the girl. Was that your plan?

Lucentio

Indeed it was. Do you think it’s possible?

Tranio

I don’t think so. If you play the teacher, who’ll play you — Vincentio’s son visiting Padua? Who’ll keep your house, read your books, welcome your friends, visit and dine with your countrymen?

Lucentio

Enough! Relax, I’ve got it all figured out. Nobody has seen us yet, and they won’t know which one of us is the servant and which one is the master. So, Tranio: you’ll be my master instead of me. Run the house and the servants just like I would. I’ll be someone else, maybe from Florence or Naples, or just a regular man from Pisa. That’s how the plan is going to work. Tranio, take off your clothes and put on my more colorful hat and cloak. When Biondello comes, he’ll serve you. But first I’ll make sure he keeps our secret.

Not possible; for who shall bear your part,

And be in Padua here Vincentio's son,

Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,

Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

Lucentio

Performance

Lucentio, Lines 195-206

Basta; content thee, for I have it full.

We have not yet been seen in any house,

Nor can we lie distinguished by our faces

For man or master. Then it follows thus:

Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,

Keep house and port and servants as I should;

I will some other be, some Florentine,

Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.

'Tis hatched and shall be so. Tranio, at once

Uncase thee; take my coloured hat and cloak.

When Biondello comes, he waits on thee,

But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.

Proverb

“I will charm him first to keep his tongue”

Proverb

“I will charm him first to keep his tongue”

“To charm the tongue” was proverbial and meant to keep someone spilling the beans.

Tranio

Performance

Tranio, Lines 207-214

So had you need.

In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is —

And I am tied to be obedient,

For so your father charged me at our parting;

'Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he,

Tranio

Whatever you need. Since this is what you want, I’ll do it. It’s my job, after all. Your father told me to serve you well—although I don’t think this was what he meant. In any case, I’m happy to be Lucentio, since I like him so much.

[They exchange clothes]

Lucentio

Yes Tranio, do that; I like you too. I’d be willing to be a slave to get the girl, the very sight of whom has enslaved me.

Although I think 'twas in another sense —

I am content to be Lucentio,

Because so well I love Lucentio.

[They exchange clothes]

Lucentio

Tranio, be so because Lucentio loves;

And let me be a slave t’achieve that maid,

Whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye.

Mythological Allusion

“whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye”

Mythological Allusion

“whose sudden sight hath thralled my wounded eye”

According to myth, anyone hit by one of Cupid’s arrows immediately falls in love. Since Lucentio fell in love just by the sight of Bianca, he must have been struck in his eye by Cupid’s arrow.

[Enter Biondello (another of Lucentio’s servants)]

Here comes the rogue. [To Biondello] Sirrah, where have you been?

Biondello

[Shocked to discover Lucentio and Tranio wearing each other’s clothes]

Where have I been! Nay, how now! Where are

you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your

clothes, or you stolen his, or both? Pray, what's the

news?

Lucentio

Performance

Lucentio, Lines 223-232

Sirrah, come hither. 'Tis no time to jest,

And therefore frame your manners to the time.

Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,

Puts my apparel and my countenance on;

(Lucentio)

[Enter Biondello]

Here he comes, the lazy bum. Where have you been?

Biondello

Where have I been? I could ask you the same thing! Did Tranio steal your clothes, or did you steal his? Or both? What’s going on?

Lucentio

Come here. This is no time to joke, so adjust your attitude to the situation. Your fellow servant Tranio is dressed up as me, to save my life. And I’m dressed up as him to escape. When I got here, I killed a man in a fight, and I’m afraid I might have been recognized. Now I’m asking you to act like his servant, while I get out of here to save my life. Do you understand?

Biondello

Who, me? No, not at all.

Lucentio

And don’t ever call him Tranio! He’s Lucentio now.

And I, for my escape, have put on his.

For in a quarrel since I came ashore

I kill'd a man and fear I was descried.

Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,

While I make way from hence to save my life.

You understand me?

Biondello

I, sir? Ne'er a whit.

Lucentio

And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth.

Tranio is changed into Lucentio.

Biondello

The better for him. Would I were so too!

Tranio

So would I, ‘faith, boy, to have the next wish after,

that Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter —

but, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's. I advise

you use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies;

when I am alone, why, then I am Tranio, but in all places

else, your master Lucentio.

Lucentio

Tranio, let's go. One thing more rests that thyself

Biondello

Good for him. I wish I were Lucentio, too.

Tranio

Trust me, I’d wish that too, if it meant Lucentio could have Baptista’s youngest daughter. For your master’s sake, not mine, be careful in different groups of people. When we’re alone, you can call me Tranio. But everywhere else, pretend I’m your master Lucentio.

Lucentio

Let’s go, Tranio. There’s one more thing you have to do: become one of these men pursuing Bianca. If you want to know why, just trust me. I have my reasons.

[Exeunt. The characters from the Introduction, seated above above speak]

Servingman

You’re nodding off, my lord. You’re not watching the play.

Sly

Yes I am, by Saint Anne! It’s a good plot, of course. Is it over yet?

Page (as Lady)

My lord, that was only the beginning.

Sly

It’s an excellent piece of work, madam lady: but I wish it were done!

[They sit and watch]

execute, to make one among these wooers. If thou

ask me why, sufficeth my reasons are both good and

weighty.

[Exeunt all the actors, leaving on the stage only Sly and the servants who have been watching the play.]